Are elderly and aged asthma different diseases? Results of a multicenter study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate asthma in the elderly population, and compare disease characteristics between patients diagnosed <60 (aged asthma, early onset asthma) and ≥ 60 (elderly asthma) years of age. Method: Study was designed as prospective, multicenter, crosssectional type. Between October 2015 and 2017, a questionnaire was filled out to patients 60 years of age and over, that have been followed for asthma at least 3 months. Morisky Medication Adherence Questionnaire, and Asthma Control Test (ACT) was filled out and inhaler device technique assessment was performed. Results: In total 445 patients were analyzed and 399 included. Of the patients 331 (83%) were female. Half of the patients (50.4%) had an ACT score of >19, medication adherence was high in 24.8%, and inhaler device tecnique was correct in 37%. In total 147 (36.8%) patients were diagnosed ≥60 years of age. Figure 1 shows the comparison of disease characteristics between patients diagnosed <60 and ≥ 60 years of age. Conclusion: This is the first multicenter and largest study in Turkey that shows the characteristics of asthma in patients >60 years of age. Although elderly asthma patients more commonly have asthma related comorbidities, their education level, level of asthma control and medication adherence were higher. Patients with aged asthma were using more drugs, and had more asthma medication related side effects.